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Permit to MinePolyMet's NorthMet Mining Project

PolyMet NorthMet Email Updates

The purpose of a permit to mine is to control the possible adverse environmental effects of mining by ensuring orderly construction and development of a mine, sound operational practices, and progressive reclamation of mined areas. This permit ensures that a mine is developed in a manner that facilitates future land uses. A permit to mine also includes provisions that govern wetland impacts and mitigation, and it is the key permit for setting financial assurance requirements for a mine. Financial assurance is required to provide adequate funding that the DNR could access in the event that a company abandons a project, fails to properly maintain or reclaim the site, or fails to correct noncompliance.

PolyMet submitted a permit to mine application for its proposed NorthMet project. This application includes PolyMet's proposals for financial assurance and the wetland replacement plan. DNR technical staff along with its consultants reviewed the application details to determine whether the proposed project is designed to meet state standards, provides appropriate financial assurance, and incorporates the environmental protections outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement. Following review of PolyMet's permit to mine application, DNR prepared draft special conditions for the application. Together, the application and the draft special conditions are considered the draft permit to mine for the NorthMet project.

The DNR accepted comments and objections on the draft permit to mine via the State’s PolyMet Portal (http://polymet.mn.gov/) during the public comment and objection period, which concluded on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. Petitions for a contested case hearing were accepted in writing through close of business (4:30 P.M.) on February 28, 2018. As part of the draft permit to mine comment and objection process, the DNR also held two public meetings jointly with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Public meetings were held on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Mesabi East High School in Aurora, MN and on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) in Duluth, MN. Comments and written objections on the NorthMet draft permit to mine were accepted at these meetings.

Written comments and objections were also accepted during the public comment period by U.S. Mail. Comments, written objections, and petitions will all be fully considered by the DNR prior to making a final decision. They will become part of the official record and as such, may be made available for public examination.

Before proceeding with the proposed NorthMet Mining Project, PolyMet must obtain a total of 12 DNR permits as well as other state, federal, and local permits and approvals. The DNR permits and approvals that are needed include the permit to mine (including financial assurance and wetlands replacement), water appropriation permits, dam safety permits, public waters work permit, burning permit, and an endangered species takings permit.

Where are we in the overall permitting process?

Contested Case Hearing Petitions March 7, 2018

The DNR received two petitions under Minnesota Statutes 93.483 requesting that the Commissioner hold a contested case hearing on the draft permit to mine for the proposed NorthMet mining project. One petition was received from WaterLegacy, and a joint petition was received from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (FBWW). Complete copies of the petitions and their attachments are posted below. The DNR will accept written responses to these petitions through Friday, April 6, 2018.

Joint MCEA-CBD-FBWW Petition (February 28, 2018)

Any responses to the petitions for a contested case hearing on the draft permit to mine must be submitted in writing to the address below. Voluminous exhibits to responses may be submitted in electronic form, (on CD/DVD or jumpdrive) but one non-electronic copy of the written response must be submitted to the address below. Hand-delivered responses must be received by close of business (4:30 P.M.) on Friday, April 6, 2018. Responses sent by US Mail must be postmarked on or before April 6, 2018.